Sunetra Pawar sworn in as Maharashtra's first woman Deputy Chief Minister
On 31 January 2026 NCP leader Sunetra Pawar took oath at Lok Bhavan, Mumbai, as the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, after the death of her husband Ajit Pawar.
Summary
Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha MP and widow of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on 31 January 2026, becoming the first woman to hold the post in the state. Governor Acharya Devvrat administered the oath at Lok Bhavan, Mumbai, in the presence of CM Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Earlier that day she was elected leader of the NCP legislature party. Ajit Pawar had died in an air crash at Baramati on 28 January 2026. She got State Excise, Sports and Youth Welfare, and Minority Development and Auqaf, while Finance and Planning went to CM Fadnavis.
Key facts
- Post
- Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra (first woman)
- Date / place
- 31 January 2026, Lok Bhavan, Mumbai
- Oath by
- Governor Acharya Devvrat
- Party
- Nationalist Congress Party (NCP); elected NCP legislature party leader the same day
- Portfolios
- State Excise; Sports and Youth Welfare; Minority Development and Auqaf
- Finance & Planning
- Allocated to CM Devendra Fadnavis
- Background
- Ajit Pawar died in an air crash at Baramati on 28 January 2026
Practice MCQs 4 questions
In January 2026, who became the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra?
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Correct answer: C — Sunetra Pawar
Sunetra Pawar was sworn in on 31 January 2026 as the first woman Deputy CM of Maharashtra (PIB, Indian Express).
Who administered the oath of office to Sunetra Pawar as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra on 31 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Governor Acharya Devvrat
The oath was administered by Governor Acharya Devvrat at Lok Bhavan, Mumbai.
Which of the following portfolios was NOT allotted to Sunetra Pawar on 31 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Finance and Planning
She got State Excise, Sports and Youth Welfare, and Minority Development and Auqaf; Finance and Planning went to CM Devendra Fadnavis.
Consider the following statements: 1. Ajit Pawar died in an air crash at Baramati on 28 January 2026. 2. Sunetra Pawar was a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly when she was sworn in as Deputy CM. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Ajit Pawar died in an air crash at Baramati on 28 January 2026. Sunetra Pawar was a Rajya Sabha MP, not a member of either House of the state legislature.